Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated September 10, 1915, and Nicholas's telegram, dated September 10, 1915

Sources:

Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=205&skin=2021

https://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/september15.html

The letter:

No. 118.
Tsarskoje Selo, Sept. 10-th 1915
My own Sweetheart,
Yes, indeed the news is better — I just looked through the papers. What a blessing if the reinforcements from the south can soon get to their destination; one prays and prays. —

The article about Varnava in the papers is untrue, he gave exact answers to all questions and showed yr. telegram about the salutation. Last year the Synod had all the papers about the miracles and Sabler would not have the salutation this summer. Your will and order count, make them feel it. Varnava implores you to hurry with clearing out Samarin as he and Synod are intending to do more horrors and he has to go there again, poor man, to be tortured. Goremykin also finds one must hasten (alas, no list from him yet). One praises the redfaced Prutchenko too — only his brother and wife horrid about our Friend. Goremykin wants quickly to see you, and before any others when you return, but if you dont soon — he wants to go to you, he is ready to scream at the bishops, Varnava said and to send them off. You better send for the old Man. — As one wants a firm Government, instead of the old Man going; clear out the others and get strong ones in. Please, speak seriously about Khvostov as Minister of the Interior to Goremykin am sure he is the man for the moment, as fears nobody and is devoted to you.

Again an ugly thing about Nikolasha I am obliged to tell you. All the Barons sent to the Headquarters a B. Benkern to Nikolasha. He begged in all their names that these persecutions should cease, because they could not bear them any more. Nikolasha answered that he agreed with them, but could do nothing as the orders came from Tsarskoje Selo. Is not this too vile. S. Rebinder of the Artillery told it to Alia — Reutern was astonished to see Suvorin being received by Nikolasha. This must be cleared up, such a lie dare not lie upon you; they must be told that you are just to those that are loyal and never persecute the innocent. A man who wrote against Nikolasha was shut up for 8 months now, there they know how to stop the press, when it touches Nikolasha. — When the prayers for you were being read those 3 fasting days, fr. the Synod, in front of the Kazan Cathedral, 1000 of portraits of Nikolasha were being devided out to the crowds. What does that mean? They had intended quite another game, our Friend read their cards in time, and came to save you by entreating you to clear out Nikolasha and take over the Command yourself. One hears always more and more of their hideous, treacherous game. M. and S. spread horrors about me in Kiev and that I was going to be shut up in a Convent — the married daughter of one of the Trepovs was so hurt when they spoke, that she begged to leave the room. He wrote this to the Css. Schulenburg. Oh Lovy, Ivanov's army (some) heard these rumours — is that not a mean scandal? I see Dzhunkovsky has gone for an unfixed time to the Caucasus — there: "birds of one feather flock together" what new sin are they preparing? They better take care of their skin there. —

We, i. e. Olga, Ressin, Ania and I went to Peterhof — we left her at her Parents and drove on to the local hospital — clean this time and no very heavy wounded — then to the tiny red cross station near the English Embassy, where there were a few officers — then to the new Rathhouse near the lake, where were also wounded — nothing very bad. Took a cup of coffee at the Taneyev's and came home. Then Tatiana Andreievna came to say goodbye, after wh. Mère Catherine and the Abbess, and talked without end. She brought a paper about flying machines wh. the inventor showed before at the Headquarters — it was approved and the papers now stick somewhere, so I enclose a paper about it and can you have the thing hurried up. There is a Rubinstein who has given 1000's already, who is willing to give 500.000 for this invention being made, if he receives the same as Manus — pretty these beggings at such a time, charity cant go unbought — so ugly. — Then Mary came and now I am writing and quite gaga — the road tired me in motor. The sea, my sea! Felt, oh, so sad, reminded me of happy peaceful times, our house without you — we passed it — pain in my heart and full of remembrances. — I received sweet letters from Ernie, Onor and Frl. Textor. He gave them Sister Baroness Uxkull who came — he hoped I would see and help her — yr. Mama did not receive her and then I was not asked — a great mistake of hers. These Sisters could have told us about our Prisoners. Ernie thinks so much of you too — I enclose his letter. — Frl. Textor lives at W. to give the children German and English lessons. The heather blooms and it is lovely they say — I will show you his letter, when you come — asks for nothing only full of love. Yr. regiment has better luck than the red Dragoons, who have only one officer not wounded. Moritz youngest son is slowly recovering fr. wounds. V. Giedesel (who was with Sandro in Bulgaria — a dear) has lost 3 sons already. — Onors nephew has also been killed. — The weather was divine to day. I was in the hospital this morning — another Crimean is coming. —

Now must send off my letter, high time. —

Every blessing and fondest, tenderest, warmest kisses and endless love fr. yr. own old
Sunny.

Am glad you will see Misha. —

Have you a list of the losses in the guard? All are so anxious, the wives anxious about their husbands — cannot somebody copy them out and send them me. — Tell Fredericksy that young Mme Baranov (he was just killed) is fearfully poor, you kept him in the regiment by paying him, now she looses that and Shulgin begged me whether something could be done for her, as he was such a good officer. Mme Lütke thanks for the flowers I had sent from us both. —

Maria Plautin thanks colossaly. —

Nicholas's telegram:

Telegram. Stavka. 10 September, 1915
I thank you, the girls and Alexey, heartily for your last dear letters and for the telegram, I am glad that you went to Peterhof. I hope you are none the worse. Here it is also fine and a little warmer. I kiss all fondly.
NICKY.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Grigori Rasputin.

Note: Nicholas and Alexandra often referred to Grigori Rasputin as "our Friend".